Prevalence and concentrations of drugs in older suspected drugged drivers.

OBJECTIVE: Older drivers are somewhat more likely to be involved in car crashes than middle-aged drivers but less likely to be involved than younger drivers. This study aimed to assess the extent of drug use in older suspected drunk and drugged drivers, with respect to which drugs were detected and at which concentrations. METHODS: Blood samples from older suspected drunk and drugged drivers taken between February 1, 2012, and May 22, 2013, were identified from the database at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and were retrospectively analyzed for a broad repertoire of drugs relevant for impairment. The prevalence of different drugs among the suspected drunk and drugged drivers was studied. Regarding drug concentrations, the findings in older drivers (>65 years) were compared to a reference group of apprehended drivers aged 20-40 years. RESULTS: Four hundred and ten older suspected drunk and drugged drivers were included. Any drug (including ethanol) was detected in 92% of blood samples, and ethanol was detected in 81%. Benzodiazepines were found in 15% of the older drivers and z-hypnotics (zopiclone or zolpidem) were detected in 13%. The most frequent single legal drugs found in blood samples taken from older impaired drivers were zopiclone (9.8%) and diazepam (9.3%). Regarding drug combinations, older drivers used a mean number of 1.4 drugs, and 20% of ethanol-positive cases showed at least one other drug. High drug concentrations of clonazepam and diazepam were more frequently seen in the younger group. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that drugs were detected in the vast majority of older drivers suspected for drunk or drugged driving. Ethanol was the most frequent drug detected, followed by zopiclone and diazepam. Older drivers combine drugs to a lesser degree than younger drivers, but their combination of ethanol and other drugs represents a considerable traffic risk. Lower concentrations of benzodiazepines are seen in older compared to younger drivers.

[Prevalence of injuries associated with the «russ¼ celebration in Norway]. / Forekomst av skader i russetiden.

BACKGROUND: Every year the Norwegian Institute of Public Health receives a number of enquiries from the media regarding the extent to which alcohol intake by upper secondary school leavers celebrating in their final spring term (the traditional Norwegian «russ¼ celebration) is a cause of injuries, and whether there are more injuries during this period. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of injuries in the «russ¼ celebration period. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data from the Norwegian patient register (NPR) were used to investigate the prevalence of injuries in 16-, 19- and 21-year-olds from 2007 to 2011. The 19-year-olds represent those who celebrate «russ¼. Injuries recorded using ICD-10 codes were examined. The month of May and the period 20 April to 20 May were compared to the other months of the year. RESULTS: The 19-year-olds have significantly more injuries during the «russ¼ period compared to the 16- and 21-year-olds. In the «russ¼ period, the 19-year-olds accounted for 41.4% of the injuries, the 16-year-olds for 27.7% and the 21-year-olds for 30.9%. The 19-year-olds have more injuries in May compared to other months. There is a particular increase in the prevalence of head injuries. CONCLUSION: An increase was observed in the number of injuries among 19-year-olds associated with the period of the «russ¼ celebration compared to the rest of the year. There are no data available which describe the causes of the injuries. There is a need for better recording of the use of alcohol or intoxicants as a possible cause. Injuries treated by the specialist health services are probably of a more serious nature, and the study may indicate an increase in serious injuries among 19-year-olds during the «russ¼ celebration.